Wed, Dec 17 · 6:30 PM EST
We will be at Southeast Regional Library in Room C About the Group: These questions explore what traditions actually are and why humans are drawn to them.
Defining the Concept: What is the precise difference between a "habit" (something we do automatically) and a "tradition" (something we do meaningfully)?The Time Factor: How old does a practice need to be before it counts as a tradition? Can you invent a tradition instantly, or must it stand the test of time?The Solo Tradition: Can a tradition exist if you are the only person who practices it, or does it require a community/family to be valid?Value vs. Repetition: Do we value traditions because they are inherently good, or simply because they are familiar?Authenticity: If you change a significant part of a ritual (e.g., serving lasagna instead of turkey), is it still the same tradition, or have you created something new?
### Phase II: The Christmas Lens (Specific Focus)These questions dive into the specific rituals, myths, and behaviors of the holiday season. The Santa Dilemma: Is telling children about Santa Claus a harmless exercise in imagination and wonder, or is it ethically wrong to lie to children about reality?Secular vs. Sacred: Can you truly celebrate a religious holiday (like Christmas) if you don’t believe in the theology behind it, or are you just "going through the motions"?The Ethics of Gifting: Is gift-giving in our society an act of genuine generosity, or has it become a social contract of reciprocal obligation?The "Spirit" of the Season: We often speak of "The Christmas Spirit." Is this a real moral shift where people become kinder, or is it a temporary, performative emotion?Inclusion and Exclusion: Does the overwhelming societal focus on Christmas create a sense of community, or does it inadvertently alienate those who do not celebrate it?These questions connect the topic to the participants' emotional lives and memories. Nostalgia: Is nostalgia a healthy way to connect with our past, or does it prevent us from living fully in the present?The Empty Chair: How do traditions change when the people who started them are no longer with us? Do we keep the tradition for them, or for ourselves?Family Obligation: Do we have a moral duty to participate in family traditions even if we find them stressful or unenjoyable?Evolution of Self: Think of a holiday tradition you loved as a child but dislike now. What does that change tell you about how you have grown?The "Perfect" Holiday: Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves to create a "perfect" holiday experience? What are we actually chasing?These questions look at the broader implications of how we handle traditions. Commercialization: Has the marketplace hijacked our traditions (buying gifts, decorations), or does commerce actually help facilitate and preserve these traditions?Peer Pressure: To what extent are our holiday traditions driven by the fear of being judged by others (e.g., "What will the neighbors think if I don't put up lights?")?Outdated Rituals: When a tradition conflicts with modern values (e.g., songs with questionable lyrics, gendered expectations of cooking), should we ban it, edit it, or preserve it as history?Social Glue: Could a society function without shared holidays and rituals, or are they essential for keeping a civilization from falling apart?The Burden of Choice: In the past, traditions were dictated by culture. Today, we choose our own. Does this freedom make us happier, or more anxious?
